Chapter 170 - 117: Refining a Lower Grade Magical Artifact

Chapter 170: Chapter 117: Refining a Lower Grade Magical Artifact

Inside Jiang Ningzhi’s bedroom at Xuanzhen Temple.

"Why are you back again?"

When Shangguan Ling’Er pushed the door open and entered, she was greeted by Li Yinsheng and Junior Martial Uncle Jiang speaking in perfect unison.

"What’s with that tone?" Shangguan Ling’Er turned her face away. "Are you not welcoming me? Or did you just not miss me?"

Li Yinsheng stood up from his martial uncle’s bed and walked over to welcome her.

"Of course we welcome you. As for missing you, I certainly did miss you, Miss Shangguan."

His face was full of confusion. "But Miss Shangguan, you’ve only been gone for a little over three months. How come you’re back so soon?"

Taking two steps forward, Shangguan Ling’Er clasped her hands behind her back and laughed. "Hehe, there are two reasons. The more important one is that I missed you and Ningzhi a little bit too."

Jiang Ningzhi rolled her eyes. "Give me a break. Even when you’re not in secluded cultivation, you only come to see me once every year or two at most.

"You definitely have another reason, right?"

Shangguan Ling’Er sat down next to Jiang Ningzhi and nodded in admission. "Alright, there is indeed a less important reason.

"I reported Yinsheng’s talent to my master. The Dharma Vein is interested in nurturing you..."

...

A brief moment later, Shangguan Ling’Er told Li Yinsheng about the competition among several elders in the Dharma Vein to take him in as a disciple, as well as the matter regarding the Golden Crow Pool.

However, she did not mention the matter regarding her family. After all, her father had said it would be fine to bring Yinsheng back within ten years, so there was no rush right now.

Furthermore, she would be spending a long time under her master’s guidance to awaken her Divine Vein. Even if Li Yinsheng was willing to go, she wouldn’t be able to take him home anytime soon.

Therefore, she only spoke of the Golden Crow Pool, reminding Li Yinsheng to head to the Dharma Vein a month before the Dao examination.

"The Golden Crow Pool?" Li Yinsheng was somewhat curious. "Does Miss Shangguan know what this is used for?"

"I asked my master before I came, and she specifically explained it to me." Shangguan Ling’Er nodded, but didn’t continue speaking. She merely tilted her chin up slightly.

Li Yinsheng instantly understood her implication. He cupped his hands in a respectful salute and said, "Please enlighten me, Miss Shangguan."

Satisfied, Shangguan Ling’Er nodded and began, "To talk about the origins and functions of the Golden Crow Pool, we must start with one of the Ten Great Divine Mountains in the Hundred Thousand Mountains."

Li Yinsheng nodded.

Shangguan Ling’Er had previously told him about the Ten Great Divine Mountains, which were locations where the spiritual and natural essence of the Hundred Thousand Mountains converged.

"Within the Hundred Thousand Mountains, there is a mountain called the Golden Crow Divine Mountain. It belongs to the Inner Demon Race and is the territory of the Golden Crow Demon Court."

Li Yinsheng continued to nod, indicating that he was listening attentively.

He had also heard Shangguan Ling’Er mention the Demon Court before. Demon Courts were factions established by the strongest races among the Demon Race.

Any single Demon Court was a colossal entity, not in the least inferior to the entire Taihao Immortal Sect.

"The greatest distinguishing feature of the Golden Crow Divine Mountain is that more than half of the Sun Essence within the entire range of the Hundred Thousand Mountains gathers there.

"Demon cultivation places great importance on the Sun and Moon Essences. Moonlight strengthens the Demon Soul, while Sun Essence strengthens the Demon Body.

"Of course, these two aren’t only useful to the Demon Race. The myriad spirits of heaven and earth can mostly benefit from the Sun and Moon Essences, which naturally includes our Human Race as well.

"Occupying the Golden Crow Divine Mountain, the Golden Crow Demon Court sits on a massive amount of Sun Essence. Using this, they built a Golden Crow Holy Spring, which is said to be formed from pure Sun Essence.

"Aside from their most famous True Sun Fire, the Golden Crow Race also possesses one of the strongest Demon Bodies among the Demon Race. This is entirely thanks to the Golden Crow Holy Spring.

"Decades ago, the Third Elder of the Dharma Vein somehow managed to obtain a handful of spring water from the Golden Crow Holy Spring. No one knows where or how he got it.

"Although it was only a handful, it was already extremely precious.

"The Third Elder expended a massive amount of precious resources and paid a hefty price to invite an Array Cultivator elder from the Sun Dharma Vein. Together, they constructed the Golden Crow Pool on his Golden Stone Peak.

"The Golden Crow Pool uses that handful of Golden Crow Holy Spring water as its core. Combined with many precious materials and the Array of the Sun Dharma Vein, it possesses the miraculous effect of absorbing Sun Essence and transforming it into pool water.

"For every year the Golden Crow Pool accumulates Sun Essence, it can be used for one month.

"The Sun Essence within it provides immense benefits to any Orthodox Dao Cultivator, but a Body Cultivator reaps the greatest rewards."

Shangguan Ling’Er explained further, "The Third Elder is a Body Cultivator himself. Upon learning that you are such a young Body Cultivator Grand Daoist, he cherished your talent and offered of his own accord to let you use the Golden Crow Pool once.

"Don’t think that just because the Golden Crow Pool can be used once a year, it isn’t precious.

"Although this pool can be used annually, it’s said that every year, only the Third Elder enjoys it himself. He can’t bear to share it with outsiders.

"Only the few Direct Disciples under him can get a share of the pool water each year. Outsiders shouldn’t even dream about it."

Li Yinsheng was struck with realization. "If that’s the case, then this Golden Crow Pool has an extraordinary background and is extremely beneficial for a Body Cultivator.

"Since the Third Elder looks upon me favorably, I naturally have no reason to refuse," he said with a smile. "Please inform the Third Elder on my behalf, Miss Shangguan, that I will head to the Dharma Vein a month in advance."

"Mhm," Shangguan Ling’Er nodded. "When the time comes, you’ll first have to meet with all the elders. After that, the Third Elder will take you to his Golden Stone Peak to cultivate using the Golden Crow Pool.

"Your True Blood Secret Scripture is not bad, but compared to the better inheritances in the Dharma Vein, it still falls somewhat short."

She reminded him, "Although my family doesn’t lack Cultivation Techniques from the Immortal Dao Lineage, we just so happen to not have any Body Cultivation Techniques.

"If you are willing to take the Third Elder as your master, he will naturally pass down his own Cultivation Technique to you without any reservations.

"However, I think that even if you’re unwilling to become his disciple, as long as you show your talent, the Third Elder will give you a decent Body Refining Technique. It will definitely be better than the True Blood Secret Scripture, at least."

Li Yinsheng nodded to show he understood.

He didn’t really have any thoughts of taking a master at the moment.

Moreover, even though he had already cultivated the True Blood Secret Scripture to the highest Twelfth Layer, with the Vein Casting Rope, he could still continue to condense more True Blood.

Right now, fifty percent of the Mortal Blood in his body had already transformed into True Blood.

He was actually somewhat curious: if he could transform all the Mortal Blood in his body into True Blood, it should count as a complete rebirth. Would it produce any peculiar effects?

However, he wouldn’t force the issue. Since he didn’t have a better Body Refining Technique on hand anyway, he might as well just keep practicing this one for now.

"Alright, I’ve told you what you need to know." Shangguan Ling’Er patted Li Yinsheng on the shoulder. "You can’t slack off during this period. You need to cultivate even more diligently.

"After all, when you meet the elders, the higher the talent you display, the more they will value and nurture you."

"I know this naturally. Don’t worry, Miss Shangguan," Li Yinsheng nodded.

Shangguan Ling’Er nodded as well. "Then I’ll head back to the Dharma Vein first. Cultivate well, and take good care of Ningzhi for me."

"You’re leaving already?" Jiang Ningzhi was taken aback. "Isn’t that a bit too rushed?"

"It can’t be helped." Shangguan Ling’Er shook her head. "My master arranged a period of secluded cultivation for me. I need to get back as soon as possible."

She didn’t tell Jiang Ningzhi and Li Yinsheng that this so-called "secluded cultivation" was actually to awaken her Divine Vein.

She hadn’t even mentioned the Divine Vein to them—something that simply didn’t exist in the Hundred Thousand Mountains.

It wasn’t that she had any malicious intentions. She just wanted to give Li Yinsheng and Jiang Ningzhi a "surprise."

To be precise, she and Jiang Ningzhi had been best friends who shared everything for many years, but the reason she never brought this up was exactly because of this.

Her mindset was very simple. "Let’s see you flaunt your good talent, high Cultivation, and strong combat prowess in front of me every day," she thought.

"Once I awaken my Divine Vein, we’ll see who has better talent, higher Cultivation, and stronger combat prowess!

"When the time comes, I’ll definitely give you a massive surprise!"

Holding onto this idea, she had kept it a secret from Jiang Ningzhi up until now.

In fact, the targets she wanted to "surprise" had now expanded to include Li Yinsheng.

However, aside from the Divine Vein, there was another matter she hadn’t told Li Yinsheng and Jiang Ningzhi.

Actually, her master hadn’t told her to go back today.

Her master had said it would be best for her to return within a month.

As for why it was a month...

She recalled her master’s flippant remark before she set off.

"I need a month to prepare the ceremony for awakening your Divine Vein. During this month, go find Li, deepen your relationship with him, and try to make him proactively take me as his master for your sake."

Those words absolutely could not be spoken aloud! Absolutely not!

Shangguan Ling’Er’s expression remained unchanged, though the tips of her ears grew slightly hot.

"My aunt is so improper," she thought, "saying things like this to her niece! When I go back to my mother’s family, I definitely have to complain to Grandpa about her!"

Just as Shangguan Ling’Er was plotting how to tattle on her aunt once she got home, the door was pushed open by Mu Xiaoyu, who rushed toward Li Yinsheng in a few quick bounds.

Shangguan Ling’Er shot Mu Xiaoyu a somewhat surprised glance.

When this girl had first arrived, she looked completely dazed and silly. Shangguan Ling’Er had assumed she was just exhausted from practicing, so she had sent her to bed to rest while she went to find Yinsheng and Ningzhi.

How was she suddenly so full of energy again?

"Senior Martial Brother!" Mu Xiaoyu ran up to Li Yinsheng. "Do you have any more Fire Seeds? I want to refine a Fire Seed!"

For a moment, Li Yinsheng didn’t even process what she was saying.

Mulling it over, he fell into stunned contemplation once he realized Xiaoyu’s meaning.

"What’s going on?" he wondered. "Could it be that she lacked so much restraint while refining the Fire Seed last night that it burnt out my junior martial sister’s little brain?!"

Seeing her senior martial brother deep in thought, Mu Xiaoyu turned her head to look at Shangguan Ling’Er and offered a sweet smile, as if looking at her own older sister.

"Welcome back, Shangguan!"

She had already figured it out. Given her senior martial brother’s craftiness, he might still be hiding a few Fire Seeds.

While Shangguan was still here and could protect her, she had to make him hand over the Fire Seeds so she could refine them immediately!

That way, it wouldn’t hurt.

Finally snapping out of his daze, Li Yinsheng first stroked Mu Xiaoyu’s head to make sure she wasn’t burning up with a fever, then shook his head with an expression full of sincerity.

"Junior Martial Sister, I really don’t have any Fire Seeds on hand anymore."

Looking at his sincere expression, Mu Xiaoyu almost believed him.

"Are you sure you really don’t have any left? Senior Martial Brother?" Mu Xiaoyu put on a very distressed look. "But I wanted to upgrade my Three Yang Spirit Fire a little more."

"Hmm..." Li Yinsheng stroked his chin, suspecting that the reason for Xiaoyu’s sudden diligence might be an addiction to Artifact Refining.

It was quite logical that, because she was addicted to Artifact Refining, she wanted to upgrade her Three Yang Spirit Fire to refine artifacts better.

"Wait," he thought. "Speaking of Artifact Refining... then maybe I can provide a Fire Seed?"

"If you really want a Fire Seed, Junior Martial Sister, it’s not entirely impossible."

Li Yinsheng rubbed Mu Xiaoyu’s head and said, "If you can successfully refine a Lower Grade Magical Artifact, Junior Martial Sister, I’ll reward you with two more Fire Seeds. How about that?"

Successfully refining a Lower Grade Magical Artifact would yield a reward of twenty years of Cultivation, allowing him to condense another two Fire Seeds.

Although this meant he would have to undergo another brief period of secluded cultivation, seeing his junior martial sister so enthusiastic about Artifact Refining, he was willing to make a small sacrifice.

As for the difficulty of refining a Lower Grade Magical Artifact...

With his junior martial sister’s current Three Yang Spirit Fire and Divine Sense, it would be more than enough to refine a Middle Grade Magical Artifact, let alone a Lower Grade one.

It was just that her Artifact Refining skills were still severely lacking. As long as she made up for this shortcoming just a little bit, refining a Lower Grade Magical Artifact wouldn’t be difficult.

In any case, her Sword Technique had reached the limits of her Cultivation, and now that the Mother Insect was refined, relying on her own Root Device to cultivate was very slow. She might as well focus her energy on Artifact Refining—it would be the most cost-effective approach.

Hearing her senior martial brother’s proposal, Mu Xiaoyu’s eyes instantly lit up.

"Ha! Bad senior martial brother, I knew I could trick the truth out of you!" she thought. "You really are hiding two Fire Seeds!

"Hmph, within two months... no, a month and a half, I’ll definitely forge a Lower Grade Magical Artifact and make you hand over those Fire Seeds.

"And then I’ll have Shangguan help me refine them!"